Tory-Lib Dem pact boosts numbers for other parties

OPPOSITION parties in Edinburgh have experienced a boom in membership applications since the signing of a coalition deal between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

The Scottish Labour Party says it has fielded between 300 and 400 applications in Edinburgh since the agreement was reached.

Paul Godzik, Labour councillor for the Meadows/Morningside ward, said: "We've had a really positive response since the coalition agreement.

"Liberal Democrat voters in particular feel let down.

"There's a sense that this isn't what people voted for, and many are now seriously thinking about joining us."

The Scottish Green party has also experienced a boost in membership, with 17 new applicants in Edinburgh added to an existing membership of roughly 300 – a bounce of more than 5 per cent.